Sunday, August 18, 2013

Two posts in three days.... is the world ending?

I have had a lovely weekend, nice and quiet, and slow. A bit of work, a bit of cleaning, and lots of knitting, all which got repeated, over and over again. My husband was tied up in a work conference, my quiet son was enjoying his last bit of freedom before school starts tomorrow, so I had some nice time to myself. So I played with yarn, and had a whole lot of fun.

I made a quick trip to Joann's to see if they had this little gadget by Boyle. I saw something similar a few days ago on the show Knit and Crochet Now. It is on PBS, have you seen it? I record it and play it when I have the time, which is usually on the weekends.

The one they had on the show made two different sized flowers. I saw this one which was a lot simpler and much cheaper. I thought the two little girls I work with would love this project.

A nice way to use up some scraps of yarn, and work on fine motor skills and following directions.

Maybe we can attach them to headbands or hair ties. I think this might be a hit with girls ages six and nine.

I also finished Clapo-ktus number two. I love this one as much as the first one I made. It took about 400 yards of gorgeous chenille yarn. Yarn information I do not have as I lost the info for this yarn years ago. It has been in my stash a long, long time.

I finished it Friday night, blocked it on Saturday and gifted it to my dear friend Georgette today. I think she really likes it. We have been friends for 17 years, anyone who hangs with me that long deserves a surprise now and again.

It is soft, and softer than soft. I love the way it feels, although it was kind of a bear to work with. Remember how chenille twists and turns, and then before you know it those little loops untwist after you have knit them, and they stick out all over. No amount of blocking helps this, it is the knitting phenomenon called worming.

So knowing that was going to happen I cast on and hoped for the best. Chenille is also more difficult to knit through the back loop, you almost have to lift the stitch up to get the needle in. But all in all I think it turned out lovely and my hands are happy this project is completed.

So that means a new project to think about. I swear there is nothing more exciting than starting a new project. I have had my eye on the Elise Shawl for quite sometime. Liz over at Crochet in Color made one all the way back in January of 2012, hers is exquisite. Pop on over and visit Liz, she currently has a lovely crochet bag pattern that she just created on her blog, and she is sharing it with all of us.

I think I am going to have lots of fun with this one. It feels good to have a crochet hook back in my hands, and of course I have just started this shawl and I am already thinking about the next one I can make. I have lots and lots of sock weight yarn, and I don't make socks, so watch out you may be seeing oodles and oodles of variations of this shawl on my blog.

23 comments:

Anonymous
said...

I love your little Sheepie bowl. I ALMOST bought the black one like that, but the shop owner wouldn't part with it. Her shop is The Black Sheep so she decided that one was hers. I came home with an ivory bowl with green spots and a wooden one that I can't break.

Your flowers are adorable and would look great on some headbands. I do love that Boutique Treasure yarn - way more than I should considering how acrylicky it is. I have that colourway too, and made a smashing cowl with it last winter.

What a glorious blue shawl, and thanks for including the bit about "worming". (A scarf made years ago by my niece is one long mass of chenille worminess and I never knew the name or reason for the phenomenon until now.)

Your Elise shawl will be lovely - my sis made me one for last year's birthday and it has wonderful drape.

Hello my friend, I'm back and I missed you! I read all your posts that I missed and that yarn your friend brought you is aMAYzing! I also am excited about your green crocheted shawl. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

My mil bought a gadget years ago called a "Knit Wit" and it made those kinds of yarn flowers. I remember her and I laughing our heads off when she commented that she was probably a "knit wit" for buying the thing. They do make cute flowers that make wonderful appliques for all kinds of things. Your second shawl is pretty too, love the color. Can't wait to see what the new green one turns out like. You are such a whiz I imagine you will have it done in no time.(((HUGS))) Susanne :)

I bet she loves it. Especially since it was made by a good friend! I lOVE the colors in the green one. But of course green is my favorite color! I am so glad that you are back to working with yarn. I know that it makes you so happy! Hugs, Teresa

Sounds like you got to spend a perfect day! I love when that happens! The flower maker will be fun to do with the age girls you described. Any age, really. And I love your newest shawl. your friend is so lucky!!! And the new on, in green, oh my...I love it already!!!!XO Kris

Love the blue shawl. You did really well there and your friend is so lucky to own it now. Your new shawl looks like it will be lovely too. Puts me in the mood for crocheting now. I've been mindlessley garter-stitching a blanket, of all things!Pretty little flowers, they make nice brooches too. Is the yarn in the first pic 'Passion'? I've just knitted a cloche hat in it and it's so lovely to work up. Have a good week, Mer.x

Pretty shawl! I have the same yarn that you made the flowers out of but mine is blue-greens! I have started and pulled out three projects with it! Can't decide what I want to do with it! The flowers are cute! The girls will love making them! :)

Wow that looks like a great little implement those flowers are smashing and your right the little ones will love it, I haven't seen it before. loving your shaw to. Your crochet skills are fabulous. Have a lovely week, dee x

I'm glad you got some quiet alone time. Everyone needs that sometimes. I love that little flower-maker, what a great device. You could do so many things with the flowers. Your shawl is just gorgeous, you're so talented, Meredith!

Those flower looms look like so much fun, a lady brought one into work once and asked me how to use it but I couldn't figure it out, I was winding away but never managed to make a flower haha. Your shawl is beautiful Meredith your friend is going to love it. :)

Great post! You make me want to roll in a bed of yarn! Those flowers look so fun, and I'm sure they will be a hit w/the 6s & 9s. I have been happy with my existing WIPS, but this post might push me over the edge and make me cast on this week. Does frogging and retrying socks count??

What a great little flower contraption that is - I'm sure it will provide lots of fun with/for the girls.Your latest shawl has turned out beautifully - what a lovely gift for your friend.How nice for you to have such a relaxing and enjoyable Sunday - it's so good to have such days isn't it!Joy xo